Articles Tagged with: historic downtown

Seniors Stop In Salina

Senior travelers will find Salina, Kansas 80 miles north of Wichita in the center of the state. The city has a population of nearly 46,000 and was originally settled in 1856 along the Saline and Smoky Hill Rivers.

Salina was the westernmost post on Smoky Hill Trail. It was established as a staging post in 1860 for prospectors who were moving to Pikes Peak. It also served as a trading post for the local native tribes.

Senior visitors can enjoy two shopping centres and three parks, museums, a wildlife park and a Natural Area. If you have ever driven through Kansas, then you know that there are wide acres of wheat. Salina celebrates annually with a Wheat Festival at the end of the harvest.

Santa Fe Day is a cultural heritage celebration that takes place in and around the Smoky Hill Museum in downtown Salina. It’s a fun-filled, family day outing. Salina Downtown, Inc. was one of the first business improvement districts in Kansas.

Seniors Enjoy Salina’s Orchestra And Art Center

The Salina Symphony Orchestra is always a great way to spend an entertaining evening in town. The Salina Art Center has impressive programming that is connected to a schedule of contemporary visual art exhibitions of work by regional, national, and international artists.

Senior visitors will find Salina to be a scenic city with an attractive historic downtown, a wide array of historical buildings and a beautiful surrounding landscape. For birders, the Birdpark is home to over 200 species of colorful birds.

Salina was named an All-American City in 1989, and that says a lot about this city. Kansas Wesleyan University and the Brownie Mackie College are found in Salina. Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State University also offers courses in Salina.

Seniors Find Vibrant Art Community

Manufacturing is the predominant industry in Salina. Tony’s Pizza employs nearly 2,000 and Exide Battery adds an additional 800. The local Chamber of Commerce provides senior visitors with a host of helpful links including upcoming events.

A Visitors Guide, found under Visit Salina link, provides lots of information on the city. The Chamber further notes that…“Every community may boast of having ‘something for everyone’, but in Salina…we actually DO!”

Salina has a welcoming reputation as a vibrant arts community. Concerts, theatre performances, museums, festivals, galleries and studios, public art throughout the community…it all speaks to the cultural traveler.

Lovers of the great outdoors will find great opportunities exploring 700 acres of parks, playing golf, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking.”

Seniors, enjoy your visit to the Sunflower State and especially your stop in Salina.-jeb

Seniors Check Out The Festival City

Cedar City,The Festival City, is 250 miles south of Salt Lake City, and 180 miles north of Las Vegas on Interstate 15. Senior travelers will find Cedar City, with a population of just over 29,000, located at the mouth of Coal Creek, with 10,000-foot mountains to the east and a vast desert area to the west.

Cedar City is home of Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Summer Games, the Neil Simon Theatre Festival, and other events. Seniors, take your pick from two dozens free things to see and do in Cedar City.

Cedar City is in the southeast Great Basin, and is about 20 miles north of the northeastern edge of the Mojave Desert. Its elevation gives it a cooler and less arid climate vis-à-vis nearby Dixie, but it retains its cultural ties to St. George—the two cities, for example, share a daily newspaper.

Seniors Find An Old Iron Works Town

Cedar City was originally inhabited by the Paiute Indians and was founded in 1851 by Mormon pioneers. Henry Lunt and his men were sent to the area to build an iron works fort known as “Fort Cedar.”

A settlement began with the arrival of a group of 35 men from Parowan, 20 miles northward, to establish an iron works. They were organized and traveled in two militia companies–a foot company and a cavalry company–under the direction of Henry Lunt.

Small cottonwood log houses were built fort-style at the western base of the hill. In 1826, mountain man and fur trader Jedediah Smith traveled through the area exploring a route from Utah to California. The iron works closed in 1858, though iron mining continued in the area until the 1980s.

Seniors Enter Gateway to National Parks

The completion of a railroad connection to Cedar City in 1923 established the area as a tourism gateway to nearby Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

In addition to Cedar Breaks National Monument, Cedar City continues to be a center of tourism, commercial development, education and the arts in southwest Utah. Fun events are on-going throughout the year. Seniors may see paragliders near Cedar City, a great spot for updrafts in the Utah Mountains.

TripAdvisor notes that Cedar City is home to the Iron Mission State Park. Senior history buffs enjoy Southern Utah University Museums and Galleries. The Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Dixie National Forest are a few minutes drive away. Two popular celebrations include the Groovefest American Music Festival and SkyFest.

Senior visitors, take a stroll through the Historic Downtown District and visit the Old Post Office, The Rock Church and the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Enjoy your visit to this historic and scenic city. -jeb

Seniors Spend Time In Red Bluff

Red Bluff, California, known as the Victorian City On The River, is on the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley. Senior travelers will find Red Bluff in the Shasta Cascade region 40 miles south of Mt Shasta.

At one time it was called Covertsburg, before finally being given the name Red Bluff. It was incorporated as a city in 1876. Read about John Brown’s Family: A Living Legend in Red Bluff, that made the city famous years back.

Red Bluff, California is notable as being the location where Ishi, “the last wild Indian in North America,” came out of the wilderness (just to the west of Red Bluff) in 1911. Ishi was the last remaining member of the Yahi tribe.

Seniors Enjoy Festive Downtown At Christmastime

Indian mounds that were excavated in Red Bluff (the Tehama-Red Bluff Mounds) in 1907, and there are more than 250 recorded ancient settlement sites along the Sacramento River in Tehama County.

Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets and old Downtown at Christmastime set downtown Red Bluff apart, making it the perfect place for seniors to enjoy a day – or even a weekend – “out on the town.”

Currently there are over 150 businesses, all located just blocks away from the Sacramento River, in the Historic District of Downtown Red Bluff. Seniors will note the 75 ft. Cone & Kimball Plaza Clock tower that stands tall in the heart of the city. The original 100 ft. tower stood from 1886 to 1984 over a general store when it was destroyed by a fire.

Seniors Drive A Most Scenic Road

The red brick Saint Mary’s Parish Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. I’d want to visit the Kelly-Griggs House Museum and the Kraft Library with its beautiful gardens.

From the lush riparian areas surrounding the Sacramento River and its tributaries to the expanse of the rolling hills of blue oak savannah, the Sacramento River Bend ONA (Outstanding Natural Area) offers diverse habitat for bald eagles, osprey, migratory and song birds, deer, and salmon, so bring along your field glasses.

California Route 36, said to be one of the most scenic drives in the USA, is considered by some to be among the best roads in California, with 140 miles of twists and turns that are seemingly tailor made for motorcycles.

Senior oenophiles, the Tuscan Ridge Estate Winery was voted 2016 Best Winery in Tehama County. The 96th Annual Red Bluff Round-Up, first held in 1921, has become one of the west’s largest rodeos.

Red Bluff serves as the gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park. With its spectacular calendar of major events and outdoor recreation, Red Bluff and “Tehama Country” promises a great visit. -jeb

Seniors Stop By Libertyville

Libertyville is a village in Lake County, Illinois and an affluent northern suburb 20 miles from downtown Chicago. Senior travelers will find it located 5 miles west of Lake Michigan on the Des Plaines River with a population of around 21,000.

The Des Plaines River forms much of the eastern boundary of the village. Other bodies of water include Butler Lake and Lake Minear. Libertyville’s main street is Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21).

The Potawatomi Indians inhabited the village of Libertyville until 1829. George Vardin was the first white settler of the area. He built a cabin at the site of present day Cook Memorial Public Library District. The area at that time was known as Vardin’s Grove.

Dr. Jesse Foster was the first practicing physician of Libertyville, and Horace Butler was its first lawyer. The area was named Independence Grove in 1836. The name was changed to Libertyville because there was another place by the name of Independence Grove in Illinois.

The first post office was established on April 16, 1837. The Milwaukee Railroad entered the village in 1881 and the Village of Libertyville was incorporated in 1882.

Seniors Enjoy Illinois Nature Preserves

The nearby Des Plaines River makes for fun fishing and great swimming. More than six miles of trails connect parks, neighborhoods, shopping areas and 1600 acres of open space. Two ecologically significant local open spaces – Oak Openings and Liberty Prairie – have received the state’s highest protection status as Illinois Nature Preserves. In addition, four lakes are located near the village limits, including Lake Michigan.

I discovered that Libertyville illinois was the home of Marlon Brando and Adlai Stevenson among a host of other celebrities. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology in Libertyville is the professional theological school in the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada. Well worth a visit is the monastery church of St. Sava.

Lambs Farm, a non-profit organization near Libertyville that provides vocational and residential services for over 250 adults with developmental disabilities. Located on a 72-acre campus, Lambs Farm includes several family attractions with a petting zoo, a pet shop, a miniature golf course, several small amusement rides, a restaurant, a thrift shop, a country store and a bakery.

Seniors Find A City Of Parks and Lakes

Senior visitors will find a number of attractive parks in Libertyville and lakes for boating and fishing. Golf enthusiasts are invited to play a round of two at Riverside Golf Course.

Seniors can visit Ansel B. Cook Victorian Home Museum, David Adler Cultural Centre and Cuneo Museum & Gardens. MainStreet Libertyville invites senior visitors to enjoy Libertyville’s downtown Heritage Area offering a look back to the days of old with historical buildings and quaint shops.

TripAdvisor offers suggestions for things to do and places to eat. Seniors, when you get done checking out Chicago, head north to Libertyville and enjoy the village. -jeb

Seniors Visit Warren, Ohio

Warren, the county seat of Trumbull County, is a municipality of 47,000. Seniors will find Warren in northeastern Ohio, approximately 14 miles northwest of Youngstown and 15 miles west of the Pennsylvania state line.

Mayor William Franklin answers the question, “What makes the City of Warren an attractive place to do business? It all goes back to that famous mantra: Location, location, location!

Served by a first-rate network of railroads and highways, the city has long touted its unparalleled access to major metropolitan markets: we are located midway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, while ground shipping can reach New York City and Chicago overnight.”

Seniors Enjoy Warren’s Museums and Parks

Senior visitors will find opportunities for enjoying a number of activities in the city of Warren: the Trumbull Art Gallery, Americana Amusement Park, Packard Park, John Stark Edwards House and Museum, Glendower Museum, Sutliff Museum and Mosquito Lake State Park.

Warren was first settled in in 1801. Ephraim Quinby was one of the early settlers of the area which was named after Moses Warren, the surveyor of the Connecticut Land Company.

Warren became one of the major trading and manufacturing centers in the late 19th century and remained so throughout the 20th century.

By 1888, four railroads connected this area with the rest of Ohio. The family of Neil Armstrong lived in Warren before settling in Wapakoneta. I’d want to be sure to visit the The Neil Armstrong First Flight Memorial.

Senior Visitors Drawn To Downtown Warren

Downtown Warren has both historical and contemporary qualities that have drawn senior visitors for more than two centuries.The downtown’s beauty – which can be traced back to the original layout designed by early settler Ephriam Quinby – charms visitors and workers.

Some folks who enjoy downtown find it to be so attractive that they have decided to move into the upper floors of various older buildings.The centerpiece of downtown remains the Trumbull County Courthouse on the four acre Warren Courthouse Square.

Kent State University – Trumbull Regional Campus, Raphaels School of Beauty Culture and Trumbull Business College are some of the local colleges and universities. Seniors, PlanetWare notes that Warren ranks among the 12 best places to visit in Ohio.-jeb

Seniors Visit The Other “Sidney”

This senior did a search on the Best Small Cities in Nebraska, and up came Sidney, the seat of Cheyenne County, Nebraska with a population of 7,000. Founded in 1867 by the Union Pacific, Sidney was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney.

The city grew up around the Sidney Barracks, a military outpost with a primary function of protecting the Union Pacific Railroad track layers against the threat of hostile Indians.

The post was initially a block house on a bluff with soldiers residing in nearby tents. In 1869 the post was relocated to the present site and the following year it was renamed Fort Sidney.

During Sidney’s boomtown years, it was a colorful mixture of settlers, freighters, cowboys and soldiers and was also the center of the cattle industry. After the gold rush, Sidney became dependent on farming and ranching.

Deadwood Draw is where you will see some old wagon ruts. The old wind mill and water tank are 20th century “intrusions”.

Seniors Enjoy An Old Wild West Town

Seniors, be sure to check out “Boot Hill” Cemetery, or the original Sidney Cemetery that has existed since 1868. It was first created to bury soldiers of Fort Sidney, who died in gun battle. Sidney eventually became the wildest old west town on the rugged untamed frontier, with many colorful characters.

Toss in the golf clubs and play a round or two at Hillside Golf Course. Sidney invites senior visitors to experience one of Nebraska’s finest municipal golf courses with a breathtaking view of the beauty mother nature has provided.

Stop by the Cheyenne County Community Centre, the recreational sports hub for Sidney and Cheyenne County. TripAdvisor has paid a visit to Sidney and has several attractions that senior visitors will enjoy. A “must see” is the Fort Sidney Museum that shows the Officers’ Quarters and reflects Sidney’s colorful past. The Post Commander’s Home has been restored with original and other period furnishings.

Seniors Find The Old Lincoln Highway

The National Pony Express Museum is a lasting memorial and a tribute to one of the most dangerous and essential occupations in American history – mail delivery in the wild, wild west, the Pony Express.

Historic Downtown Sidney is well worth your time and the old Lincoln Highway, one of the earliest transcontinental highways across the US, runs right through the middle of town.

Sidney is known as “A Small Town with Big Time Opportunities”. Yours truly being a Master Gardener, would head over to Sidney Memorial Gardens, home to Nebraska’s first Angel of Hope Memorial.

Legion Park houses the War Memorial commemorating veterans from all American wars, a 141-ft flagpole and one of the country’s largest American flags. Take a few shots of that flag and enjoy the scenic wonders in and around Sidney. -jeb

Seniors Enjoy Waxhaw

I recently read in a local newspaper that Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Sounded like a good spot to check out and I was sure right on this one. Waxhaw dates back to 1889 and the local motto reads…”Proud of Our Past..Passionate About Our Future.” The town website is an excellent means for seniors to explore Waxhaw (pop. 11,300). You can see some great videos of events and highlights of the city. It is an excellent website, and I view dozens of these each month.

Waxhaw is located in Union County 20 miles south of Charlotte in the historic region called the Waxhaws and named after the indigenous Native American tribe that lived there prior to colonial settlement.

Waxhaw is in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, which is a wooded area with rolling hills. This region is where gold was first discovered in the United States. The Howie Gold Mine is not far from the city limits.

TripAdvisor has their listing of Things to Do in Waxhaw that includes Cane Creek Park, the JAARS Museum of the Alphabet and of course a Museum dedicated to the Waxhaws and Andrew Jackson.

Seniors Find Possible Birthplace Of Andrew Jackson

Originally called the Wysacky, the community was settled by European-Americans in the mid-eighteenth century. Most settlers were of German and Scots-Irish origin. Settlers became subsistence farmers and were known for being independent.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was born nearby in 1767. I discovered that there seems to be some disagreement as to which of the Carolinas was his birthplace because of the proximity of the border. I chose Waxhaw, however it looks like I might be wrong…

Waxhaw is home JAARS Center, is a non-profit that helps organizations around the world get practical, day-to-day support for Bible translation. Almost 600 people work at the JAARS headquarters as trainers, pilots, software developers, managers, boat captains, and more—people who’ve served all over the world.

Seniors Enjoy Antiquing In Waxhaw

Waxhaw has evolved as an antique and fine dining center. Its Small Town Main Street committee is working on an integrated approach to developing and marketing the historic center of town. Waxhaw currently has dozens of specialty shops and dining restaurants that tempt the palates of senior visitors.

I know where I would start exploring the town and it would be The Waxhaw Historic District, a national historic district that encompasses over 90 buildings in the central business district. Take a short visit of Downtown Waxhaw and get a feel for this inviting city.

Seniors, set your GPS for the Piedmont Region of North Carolina and plan to spend some quality time in Waxhaw. The historic district is reason enough for an extended visit, let alone all the scenery, the hospitality of the locals and of course, great North Carolina food. Enjoy your visit. -jeb

Seniors Stop In Londonderry

Londonderry is a town in southwestern Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Senior travelers find that it is bordered on the north by the city of Manchester and on the east by the town of Derry. The population runs just over 24,000 inhabitants.

Londonderry is known for its apple orchards and is home to the headquarters of Stonyfield Farm and partial home to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Londonderry, which formerly included the present town of Derry, was settled in 1719, by a colony of presbyterians from the vicinity of the city of Londonderry, in the northern portion of Ireland, to which place their ancestors had emigrated about a century before from Scotland.

Seniors Enjoy Londonderry’s History

They were a part of 120 families, chiefly from three parishes, who with their religious instructors came to New England in the summer of 1718 to escape the religious wars and persecution. In October, 1718, they applied to the government of Massachusetts for the grant of a township, and received assurances that a grant should be made them when they should select a place for its location.

Londonderry lies in an area that was first known as “Nutfield” because of the dense woods with nut trees. In 1722, the town was chartered and given the name “Londonderry.”

Londonderry is home to numerous businesses, many of which are located in the northern part of the town near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), or in the southeastern part of town. Major businesses headquartered in town include Stonyfield Farm and Blue Seal Feeds plus a bottling facility of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. The town is also home to numerous chain retailers.

Seniors Visit Mack’s Apples

And the area in and around Londonderry is loaded with colleges and Universities. TripAdvisor has several attractions not to be missed on your visit to Londonderry, starting off with Tupelo Music Hall and Mack’s Apples, a local institution.

Mack’s Apples is an eighth generation family-run farm of approximately 400 acres – with 100 dedicated just to apples. I know that these seniors, (my wife and I), would enjoy that visit.

Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum, the Children’s Museum of Portsmouth, the American Independence Museum, the Museum of New Hampshire History and the Henniker Historical Society Museum may prove interesting to those hoping to learn more about the area’s history.

Senior travelers, set your GPS for Londonderry and enjoy all that town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Stop In Christiansburg

Christiansburg, Virginia is nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Christiansburg is the fourth largest town in Virginia. Christiansburg is home to approximately 21,000 residents, and senior visitors find a vibrant community that lives by its motto, “Progressive small town living at its best.”

“Christansburgh” is the original spelling of the town that was later changed to its present name. The town of Christiansburg became the county seat of Montgomery County, Virginia, and was officially incorporated on November 10, 1792. It was the site of the Lewis/McHenry duel, known in history as the first recorded duel with rifles.

In the 1850s, Christiansburg was a stagecoach stop on the route between Richmond, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee. Christiansburg was named after William Christian.

Seniors, Davy Crockett Lived in Christiansburg

Davy Crockett lived in Christiansburg for some time and was bonded at Elijah Griffith’s Hattery Shop which was located at today’s 41 West Main Street. That business went bankrupt and Crockett was unable to pay his own debts. Subsequently, John Snider, Jr., opened another hattery further up the block at today’s 29 West Main Street.

Senior visitors will find plenty to see and do in and around Christiansburg. TripAdvisor has a planned itinerary all prepared for you that includes the Huckleberry Trail and the Attimo Winery.

The town of Christiansburg has a rich historical and cultural heritage. One can learn more about this by visiting Montgomery Museum, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Montgomery County Jail and Christiansburg City Hall.

Seniors Enjoy The Historical Christiansburg

In addition, the town has a number of churches and cemeteries that are worth visiting. The parks in town, Cambria Historic District, East Main Street Historic District, South Franklin Street Historic District offer senior visitors historical walks.

The Christiansburg Aquatic Center is the practice venue to the Virginia Tech swimming and diving team. The Aquatic Center offers up an Olympic sized pool. The Montgomery Museum & Lewis Miller Art Center gives visitors a glimpse of Christiansburg’s history along with beautiful gardens and exhibits.

Antiquing is all about finding that item that might not exist anywhere else, and with Downtown Christiansburg and the Cambria Historic District, senior visitors have the chance to visit large antique shops with hundreds of unique items. Culture and Recreation abound in Christiansburg. Senior visitors are invited to check out the many amenities the town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Seek Out Small-Town Perry

Out of curiosity, this senior’s middle name, I asked Google for the Best Small Towns in Georgia. They gave me a list of eleven, Perry was #1. The county seat of Houston County, Perry has a population of 15,000.

Take a walking tour of Historic Perry and seniors will see why it is so popular. Founded in 1823 as Wattsville, the town was located near the center of Houston County. The name was soon changed to honor Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the town on December 9, 1824.

The original city limit was a circle, one mile in diameter, except where bounded on the north by Big Indian Creek. Perry is perhaps best known as the location of the annual Georgia National Fair.

Seniors Enjoy The Culture

Tourism has been important to the local economy since about 1920, when U.S. Highway 41 to Florida was paved. The New Perry Hotel, built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1925, became a landmark for many Florida tourists. President Jimmy Carter’s family frequented the hotel.

The downtown area is home to several quaint shops and restaurants. In the early 1960s Interstate 75 passed through the western side of the city, bringing more businesses that cater to travelers. Seniors will find Perry abounding with culture.

Festivals, fairs, museums and of course Historic Downtown Perry are big draws. The town has a lot going for it and has many notable residents over the years including Sam Nunn, Sonny Perdue and Al Thornton, an NBA player.

Seniors Stroll The Renovated Downtown

The New Perry Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, portrays a vital part of the city’s heritage, having served travelers since it was known as the Cox Inn dating back to the early 1800s.

Perry’s rich history and architecture can be further explored through a walking/driving tour of significant sights which begins at the New Perry Hotel. Old Perry, as it is called, is a must see. This renovated downtown area is a charming Williamsburg village setting with specialty shops and a down-south, restful atmosphere.

A perfect place for a stroll; enjoy the year-round flowers with benches and shop windows designed to lure senior visitors inside where any shop owner will be happy to tell you about Perry’s rich history. That’s where my wife and I would start off our visit.

TripAdvisor rates Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter #1 with Historic Downtown Perry close behind. So set your GPS on Georgia and specifically for Perry where you will find a plethora of amenities that include good southern hospitality. -jeb